Fresh off the back of picking up their first win of the year, Portimonense play host to Gil Vicente at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao in round 18 of the Primeira Liga on Sunday.
Having secured a resounding 5-0 victory in August's reverse fixture, the Gilistas will head into the weekend looking to do the double over the hosts and record their first away win in well over a year.
Match preview
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After a rough festive period, Portimonense finally breathed a sigh of relief as they turned in a defensive show of class to secure a narrow 1-0 victory over Farense last Friday.
Following a goalless first half, Brazilian Carlinhos kept his cool from the spot as he neatly converted his 58th-minute penalty to hand the Leoes de Faro their eighth defeat of the season.
This was a much-needed respite for Portimonense, who were on a three-game losing streak and had failed to win six consecutive matches across all competitions, losing five and picking up just one draw since mid-November.
Last Friday's victory has seen Paulo Sergio's men pull three points clear of the relegation zone as they now sit 12th in the Primeira Liga standings, level on 18 points with Estrela Amadora.
Portimonense head into the weekend unbeaten in four of their last five home matches in the league — picking up three wins and one draw — with a 2-1 defeat against league leaders Sporting Lisbon on December 30 being the exception.
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Over in the North, Gil Vicente were left with a bitter taste of "what could have been" last time out when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Estrela Amadora at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos.
Brazilian centre-back Gabriel Pereira gave the Gilistas a dream start to the game as netted a 12th-minute header but substitute Regis Ndo struck in the 88th minute to deny the hosts their first league win of the year.
Prior to that, Gil Vicente booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Taca de Portugal on January 10, when they picked up a 3-1 victory over Amarante courtesy of goals from Miro, Ruben Fernandes and Martim Neto.
While Vitor Campelos's side have enjoyed a fine cup run, they have struggled to get going in the Primeira Liga, where they have picked up just one win in their last 10 outings while losing five and claiming four draws since October.
With 16 points from 17 matches, the Barcelos outfit are currently 15th in the league table, level on points with 14th-placed Arouca and just one point above Rio Ave in the relegation playoff spot.
While Gil Vicente will look to return to winning ways and steer clear of the drop zone, their form on the road is currently nothing to write home about as they have lost each of the last 14 games on their travels since beating Porto 2-1 in February 2023.
Team News
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Portimonense will take to the pitch without skipper Pedrao, who is currently suspended after crossing the yellow card threshold with his booking against Farense last time out.
In his absence, Portuguese defender Filipe Relvas will push for a place in the heart of the back four, while we expect an unchanged front three of Estrela Moreira, Sylvester Jasper and Ronie Carrillo.
Meanwhile, Gil Vicente will have to cope without 24-year-old striker Depu, who is currently away with the Angolan national team at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
Campelos will also be unable to call upon Veteran goalkeeper Stanislav Kritsyuk, who has been sidelined coming off with a severe injury against Famalicao in February 2023.
Brazilian defender Pereira will also play no part in Sunday's game due to a one-game suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Estrela last weekend.
Portimonense possible starting lineup:
Nakamura; Formiga, Alemao, Relvas, Costa; Ventura, Dener; Varela, Moreira, Jasper; Carrillo
Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:
Andrew; Ze Carlos, Fernandes, Lopes, Boas; Neto, Fujimoto, Gbane; Souza, Miro, Correia
We say: Portimonense 2-0 Gil Vicente
Buoyed by their victory over Farense, Portimonense will head into the weekend with renewed confidence as they look to continue their surge into the top half of the table. Sergio's men take on a Gil Vicente side who have struggled to impose themselves on the road and we are tipping them to claim all three points in this one.
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